Brawling

Brawling allows 2 to 4 players to battle each other in Free-For-All combat. There are no rules, betting, scores or time limits. Death is never permanent in the Scorched Chapel, even for Hardcore characters. Also, your gear will never become damaged while brawling.

Demon Hunters, Witch Doctors and Wizards receive a 30% damage reduction while brawling in the Scorched Chapel. Barbarians and Monks receive an additional 5% damage reduction (in addition to the 30% they inherently receive, for a total of 35%) while in the Scorched Chapel.

It is very important to know that other players are classified as elites by the game. Therefore items that reduce damage from or increase damage to elites, will work on other players while brawling. A complete list of defensive and offensive items with those elite effects is located below.

If you want to brawl, you will need to speak to Nek the Brawler. Nek can be found near the waypoint, in town, in all four acts. Once you talk to Nek, he will transport you to the Scorched Chapel. Any other players in your party can speak to Nek in order to join you in the Scorched Chapel.

To leave the Scorched Chapel you can use the exit portal or you can use your Town Portal ability.

When playing Diablo III normally, most players are geared in a very offensive way. They do a lot of damage and they don't focus on defending themselves from large amounts of damage. Since players are smarter and do a lot more damage than any Diablo III monsters, you must increase your Effective Health Pool (EHP) so that you can survive more than a few attacks from your opponent.

EHP is based on:

Life

Armor

Resistance

Block chance

30-35% damage reduction

Melee and ranged damage reduction from items

Dodge*

One of the easiest ways to increase your EHP is to use a shield. A really good shield will have a high block chance (20% or more), around 1,000 armor, at least 100 Vitality, at least 100 of your classes' primary stat, some All Resist, and some critical hit chance (8% or more). Here is an example of an incredible shield.

You can place a lot of Amethysts in your gear in order to increase the amount of life that your character has. The most important socket to place a high level Amethyst in is in your helm.

If you are feeling lucky, you can use some Emeralds in your gear in order to increase your dodge chance. You must remember that dodging is not something you can count on to happen when you really need it.

Here are the legendary armor and off-hand items that can help increase your defense/EHP the most effective/desirable are in bold:

Players generally know how to increase their damage but because other players are classified as elites, it can be helpful to have some gear and/or weapons that will increase your damage against elites.

Below is a list of armor and off-hands that have either a uniquely large damage bonus, or that increase your damage against elites.